COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Fall fun continues in central Ohio this October with some of the area’s top signature events, Halloween-themed experiences and community celebrations.
Seasonal favorites include the Circleville Pumpkin Show marking its 118th year downtown with parades, giant gourds and plenty of pumpkin treats, while Pumpkins Aglow transforms Franklin Park Conservatory into a glowing wonderland of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns.
For those seeking a scare or a laugh, “The Rocky Horror Show” returns to the Short North Stage, and the Ohio Statehouse Haunted Tours invite guests to explore the Capitol’s eerie past. Adults and teens can also join Halloween at Thurber House for a murder mystery, games and ghostly fun.
In New Albany, the Diwali festival brings light, music and fireworks, and the Library Concert Series at the Hilliard Branch offers a relaxing, family-friendly afternoon of live music. Dog lovers can head to Dublin for the Running of the Bullies supporting Buckeye Bulldog Rescue.
Columbus Crew fans can cheer on the team in their final regular-season home match.
The weekend caps off with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon in its 45th year and the 1/2 Marathon in its 19th year, drawing thousands of runners and supporters downtown.
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Downtown Circleville, 159 E. Franklin St., open daily until Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The Circleville Pumpkin Show, sometimes referred to as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” will run for its 118th season. Held in the heart of Circleville’s downtown, the show offers a selection of baked goods, live entertainment, parades, amusement rides and more. The show kicks off with area pumpkin growers vying for the coveted Giant Pumpkin Trophy. More than 100,000 pounds of pumpkins, squash and gourds are featured in a large street display. Admission is free.
Pumpkins Aglow
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Wednesday through Sunday until Nov. 2
• More than 700 hand-carved glowing pumpkins light up Franklin Park Conservatory during its sixth annual Pumpkins Aglow event. A family-friendly festival that is spooky, but not scary, features themed displays, including pirates, creepy-crawly spiders, dancing skeletons and even aliens landing among the leaves. Nightly roaming entertainment, food trucks, a bar with specialty cocktails, a glass pumpkin pop-up shop, crafts and more. Open hours are 5 to 9 p.m. nightly, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. Tickets range from $17.33 to $30.45, including the city’s culture fee; check for member discounts.
The Rocky Horror Show
Short North Stage at the Garden Theater, Thursdays through Sundays until Nov. 1, showtimes vary
• Back for its eighth year, buckle up for a wild ride through the twisted, tantalizing world of “The Rocky Horror Show.” When straight-laced couple Brad and Janet’s car breaks down, they find themselves at the mercy of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist with a flair for the dramatic and a penchant for creating life. The audience will rock out to “Time Warp,” the ultimate party anthem. Rated R. Tickets range from $43.35 to $92.75, including fees. Student rush tickets are available at the door two hours before showtime for $20.
Ohio Statehouse Haunted Tours
Ohio Statehouse, Fridays and Saturdays until Oct. 25
• Guests step into the dark and historic hallways of the Ohio Statehouse and take a glimpse at figures from the past, following conductors through its hallways and chambers. The lantern-lit tours are offered every half hour between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. This spooky historical tour is a ticketed event and appropriate for children 12 and older. Affordable event parking is available in the Statehouse underground garage. Tickets for adults are $16 and children ages 12 to 17 are $8.
Buckeye Bulldog Rescue — Running of the Bullies
Scioto North Park, 7377 Riverside Dr., Dublin, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.
• Dog lovers can take part of one of the most fun, bulldog-celebrating events of the year. All types of dogs are welcome, but the bulldog race will be limited to English and French bulldog participants only. Participants must register one human per dog. Registration begins at 9 a.m. the Bulldog Derby anticipated start time is 10:30 a.m., no same day registrations will be accepted this year.
Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
Lower.com Field, Saturday, Oct. 18, kickoff 6 p.m.
• Columbus Crew is set to host New York Red Bulls for the last regular-season home match. The first 10,000 fans will receive a wearable flag courtesy of Cenovus. Tickets start at $45.98.
• 3:30 p.m.: Happy Hour at the Chase Plaza and Condado Tacos begins
• 4:30 p.m.: Lower.com Field Gates Open
• 6 p.m.: Match Kickoff
• Halftime Performance: Jady
Celebrate Diwali
Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater, Saturday, Oct. 18, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• The New Albany 2025 Diwali Celebration will take place at the Hinson Amphitheater. This “Festival of Lights” symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. The free event is open to the entire community and will include music, dancing, food and fireworks. Fireworks are scheduled to start at approximately 7:20 p.m. Organizers suggest bringing a chair and a reusable water bottle.
Halloween at Thurber House (Adults/Teens 15+)
Thurber Center, Saturday, Oct. 18, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Thurber House will host a murder mystery and a spooky social with mini pumpkin and gourd painting, games, sweet treats, a ghost raffle and more festive activities. Attendees can register online for the event and pick a time slot to solve the murder mystery. Teens must be accompanied by an adult. General admission is $35 and student discount tickets are $25.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Downtown Columbus, North Bank Park, Sunday, Oct. 19
• Each year, thousands of athletes gather in Columbus for a day celebrating health and wellness, personal victories, record-breaking performances and of course, the children helped by Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Columbus Marathon began in 1980; the 1/2 Marathon was added in 2006. Both the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon events are sold out for 2025, however the races feature a spectator-friendly course.
• 6 a.m.: Corrals Open
• 7:25 a.m.: Wheelchair Division Start
• 7:30 a.m.: Marathon Start
Library Concert series
Columbus Metropolitan Library, Hilliard Branch, Oct. 19, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• A fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon of music. Enjoy the sounds of a string quartet from ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. The event is free and appropriate for all ages.
